Three actors to see now

August 12, 2007|By Story by Web Behrens, Special to the Tribune

Relatively speaking, August is a fallow month in the Chicago theater scene because most companies are gearing up to launch a new season next month. But there's no such thing as "dog days" on local stages: Why not take advantage of the lull to catch some great shows before they close? Three MVPs from three hit musicals talk about highlights of their long-running shows -- and what's coming next.

Jeremy Rill, 29

* Born in Arkansas; moved to Chicago in 2001.

* Portrays: The Warm-Up Guy/Satan in "Jerry Springer: The Opera" since its May opening.

FOR THE RECORD - This story contains corrected material, published Aug. 14, 2007.

* Standout moment: When he outsings Jesus during Act Three.

Q. What makes you right to play the devil, and how did you stand out during auditions?

A. I feel like I was typecast, because I was playing John Wilkes Booth as I was auditioning. I had my goatee and my evil-looking mustache. Right away, after I sang my song, I got called back for Satan. I thought, "Oh. I'm not sure how I feel about that!"

Q. Have you had experienced rowdy audience members -- fans of the real "Springer" show?

A. Yes, we did have a heckler one night. She was screaming at the pretend guests onstage for pretty much the whole first act. She was slightly intoxicated, and we almost had Steve, our bouncer [character], quiet her down. I guess somebody talked to her during the intermission.

Q. How do you negotiate your schedule when a show keeps extending? In this case, did you anticipate it would happen?

A. Yes, exactly. I definitely wanted to stay with the show as long as I could, so I did not audition for anything that would conflict with an extension.

Q. Prior to this, what's a standout role of yours?

A. I recently did "Assassins" with Porchlight, as John Wilkes Booth. That's pretty much my favorite.

Q. What's next for you?

A. I am doing "Passion" at Chicago Shakespeare. It's a pretty big show, actually -- the [Stephen] Sondheim musical directed by Gary Griffin. Rehearsals start in September. Another cast member from "Jerry Springer" will be in it too, which is nice. I had planned to move in August, but all of [a] sudden things are starting to go really well for me. I'm going to try to get my Equity card here before I go to New York.

* Portrays: Coalhouse Walker (the name as published has been corrected here and in a subsequent reference in this text) in "Ragtime" since its early-April opening.

* Standout moment: When he breaks down in mourning as the ensemble sings the Act One finale around him.

Q. What makes you right to play Coalhouse, and how did you stand out during auditions?

A. It's weird to say. [Shrugs.] I just sang. After the callback, I really thought I didn't have it, because there was this guy in his early 30s who looked like the Coalhouse that I'd imagined, and he sang just as well as me.

Q. What's your favorite character moment?

A. There are a lot of moments in the show that I like. It seems like the default would be [Act Two climax] "Make Them Hear You," but I like the caught-off-guard moments. The human moments, like when Sarah and I first see each other in the house. She's at the top of the stairs and I cross to the middle of the stage and start tightening my tie, dusting off my suit, and Sarah catches me in the middle of it. That wasn't something that was directed, but I love that.

Q. Do you feel your opportunities are limited as a non-white actor?

A. Yes. In my experience, people have a sort of tunnel vision that prevents them for considering me for anything but typically or traditionally "black" roles. That's disappointing because it shoots down some of my dream roles. ... Casting a non-white face in a traditionally white role can jar the audience into seeing a more human figure. If I'm not cast, in a city with over 200 theater companies, there's always the next audition.

Q. Prior to this, what's a standout role of yours?

A. I played Simon in "Jesus Christ Superstar" just outside of Pittsburgh. The first show I did in Chicago was "Hair" with Tonkawa Theatre Tribe. The cast had to be naked in the show, and I'm not a six-pack[-abs] kind of guy, but it worked. There were a wide variety of bodies onstage. I embraced the lack of confidence I felt. Not being afraid to be ugly became a really great acting lesson for me.

Q. What's next for you?

A. I'm doing "Songs for a New World" by [composer] Jason Robert Brown with the Bohemian Theatre Ensemble. It opens Oct. 6. Also, I sing in a new band, the Uptown Sound, and I'm working on a graphic novel, writing it and storyboarding it. Eventually, if things don't change in this country, I'm looking to do my art elsewhere. At first it was Canada, but that's still too close. I've been considering Germany recently.